WNBA Stars Excel in WNBL
As the WNBA offseason continues, several players are making significant impacts in the Women's National Basketball League (WNBL) in Australia [1]. Seattle Storm's Mackenzie Holmes is among five WNBA players who have quickly established themselves in the Australian league [1]. With the WNBA season being shorter than its offseason, many players seek opportunities to continue playing and developing their skills overseas [1].
Cloud's Personal Story and CBA Negotiations
New York Liberty point guard Natasha Cloud recently shared her personal story on "Modern Love," discussing her experiences growing up as the only mixed-race child in a white family and a pivotal conversation with her mother [2]. Meanwhile, the WNBA faces a critical deadline for reaching a new Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) [3]. The current CBA negotiations revolve around key issues like player pay, profit sharing, and overall power within the league [4]. The WNBA is coming off a season of increased viewership, with regular season and postseason games averaging 1.2 million viewers across ABC, ESPN, and ESPN2, marking a 5% year-over-year growth [4]. The league also has a new national media rights package worth $2.2 billion over 11 years set to begin in 2025 [4].
Looming Deadline and Potential Work Stoppage
If the WNBA and the Women's National Basketball Players Association (WNBPA) fail to reach a CBA agreement by the deadline, either party could announce a work stoppage [3]. Although a strike wouldn't immediately impact games, as the season is over, the possibility remains if a contract isn't in place [3]. Negotiations are ongoing, with both sides aiming to implement desired changes [3].
TL;DR
- Mackenzie Holmes and other WNBA players are excelling in the WNBL during the offseason [1].
- Natasha Cloud of the New York Liberty shared her personal story on "Modern Love" [2].
- The WNBA faces a CBA deadline, with pay, profit, and power as key negotiation points [3, 4].
- A work stoppage could occur if a CBA agreement isn't reached, though it wouldn't immediately affect games [3].